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As you can see we tried to organize this info in a common sense way along the lines of tools, products, then tactics and techniques.

Despite that, like most purses, I feel it’s still slightly disorganized. But you’ll still get the idea even if some are not categorized like you would have done it.

That said, let’s dig in.

Tools

#01 Big Barrelled Curling Iron

Curling iron rule to live by – the bigger the barrel the bigger the curl the bigger the hair.

What’s not to love? Especially as a seeker of volume this is a solid way to develop gravity defying hair.

It’s even better when you actually know how to use curling irons to transform those fine strands of yours. If you suspect you’re missing out on getting the best from your iron, get some more fine hair magic here.

#02 Tap the Magic of Ceramic

Some find thicker, more lustrous strands can be had simply by using a ceramic round brush during their post shower blowout.

Here’s why.

The thermal properties of the ceramic barrel cut drying time because it naturally retains and more evenly distributes the heat. Not to mention the additional side benefit of smoother, less frizzy results you get with these.

#03: Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’

Velcro rollers anyone?

Easily overlooked I know since it’s kinda an old school styling technique. But give your locks 15 to 20 minutes all rolled up and you’ll walk out with all sorts of highly desirable oomph and body.

To make it last beyond the big reveal you can always try lightly misting soft hold hairspray on each section of hair before the roll up.

Best of all going Velcro means you don’t really need to master any particular technique to get oodles of volume. Still if you would like to look like you know what you’re doing check out this step by step guide on how to use Velcro rollers to secure that sometimes elusive big sexy volume.

Now as long we’re talking throwback ideas here how about …

#04 Ever Been Pin Curled?

Want an old fashioned trick that produced loads of body for your great grandmother back before hot styling tools even existed?

Two words. Pin curls.

That’s right. Bobby pin up your hair and hit the hay. That’s how great grandma would have done it.

Wake up and greet the morning with more voluminous curls than you know what to do with.

Brush them out for less curly waves and you’ll find you still have plenty of manufactured body to spare.

Volumizing Products

#05 Dry shampoo

As you know an oily scalp can lead directly to flat hair. No passing GO. No collecting $200 dollars.

One near miraculous modern day way to cure that is with dry shampoo. This product will not only sop up any volume killing oil and refresh your hair, but it can thicken and add to the illusion of volume you don’t really have.

But there’s more. The proactive will apply this before styling even freshly laundered locks. Doing this will slow down any unwanted oily buildup and plump up your strands from the get go. And maybe buy you an additional day between shampooings.

#06 Anti Humidity Hair spray

Any anti humidity hairspray worth its salt should pull double duty. Given half a chance it can work it’s anti frizz magic and add volume in where you need it most – at the roots. Best of all it should do that without leaving your hair feeling ramen noodle crunchy because who wants that?

#07 Volumize As You Shampoo

When you lather up reach for a body building shampoo – hint: the word “volumizing” should appear on the label.

This tried and true tact can work surprisingly well to lift and fill out your mane almost thickening each individual strand. The best of them really do have what it takes inside the bottle to make your hair appear to be fuller and thicker. You just don’t want anything that will leave your hair feeling oily or heavy.

#08 Go Easy on the Conditioner

Yet for some what the shampoo giveth the conditioner taketh away. But that’s only because you’re doing it wrong if volume is the goal.

So don’t you dare go anywhere near your scalp with this stuff. That’s right, limit this product to the lower third of your strands which is going to be the most parched anyway.

Then just to be safe be sure you thoroughly rinse it out to eliminate any chance it might weigh down your locks the least little bit.

Finally check this out if you are the least bit curious about what signs to look for that suggest you may be over conditioning.

#09 Get Right With Mousse

Here’s another old “lift and volume” standby that likely needs no introduction. Easy to use, it can bulk up puny strands effortlessly. It has helped women coax fine, flattened tresses into something more lush, voluminous-looking for decades.

Still this helpful article looks into the six questions you should ask about mousse.

#10 Let Me Clarify

Naturally some use styling aids to make up for the volume their hair lacks naturally. Which isn’t a bad idea.

Problem is after a while those can build up and weigh things down and that defeats the purpose. Which is why you also want to incorporate a weekly clarifying shampoo session into your shower routine to rid your strands of any unwanted buildup.

Proven Tactics and Techniques

#11 Tease Out Some Lift

It’s no surprise this oldie but goodie, you know back combing the hair nearest the roots to get some added height at the crown, made the list.

And when I say back comb let’s call it more “thoughtful” teasing. Some have called it “strategic” teasing. By that I mean don’t go at it like a wild woman because gently teasing the roots alone can add some needed oomph to your mane.

Even better, rather than use a comb ever tried using your brush? You’ll want to focus on the hair that is underneath and go at it section by section. If this isn’t clear the video below lays it out so it is.

Just keep in mind that while backcombing can add lift it’s not exactly “run your fingers through my strands ready”, now is it?

#12 Score Effortless Volume While Catching Some Zs

Effortlessly add volume while you sleep with either of these two overnight cheats.

Yeah you can either pull your hair into a bun on the top of your head secured with a soft scrunchie or use a sock and generate some sock bun curls overnight.

Try this and you’re liable to wake up to lush, sexy waves that not only look totally cute but pack loads of volume too.

#13 Camouflage with Color

Itching to try one of the gorgeous hair color ideas you’ve seen in magazines? Now’s the time if you’re looking to create fuller hair in abundance. The fact coloring agitates the cuticle just a bit thus creating body in the process makes it a worthy, if unexpected, volumizer.

Speaking of color there’s another way to use it which you could say is body made in a shade.

#14 You’ll Want to Highlight This One

Volume junkies naturally sense highlights are a great way to add the depth and dimension you need to make your mane look fuller even if you aren’t into going for a complete color makeover.

Many find that thin streaky highlights not only give you a volume boost they do so without fear of constant color maintenance.

#15: It Won’t Kill You to Sacrifice a Little Length for Volume

Long, Marsha Brady-like, stick straight strands may be okay for TV. But as you know the longer the strands, the more they weigh, and that does nothing to fix your volume dilemma. Which is to say a volume enhancing haircut might be in order.

Something in a medium length, layered bob can produce a stunning effect and add bounce to your hair.

Now if you’re searching for the perfect cut that can work wonders maybe we can help. Here’s an article that explores bob hairstyles you won’t hate. While this one covers how to style a bob if that would be helpful.

#16: Blow In The Fullness

Still for that reason you want to keep the cold shot button on your blow dryer fully depressed for like five seconds to blow a burst of coolness on any freshly dried section of hair to seal in both an iridescent shine and build in some staying power into your more voluminous roots.

#17 Make That Upside Down Please

Then too most anyone looking for volume will want to blow dry their hair upside down. This works because the roots are lifted off your scalp and when dried that way you’re creating natural volume that doesn’t otherwise exist.

#18 Kill The Ions

Not necessarily one that comes to mind readily but felt the need to point out that some claim the ions dispensed by ionic blow driers may be unseen volume saboteurs in that they take the air out of the volume you’ve worked so hard to create.

So while negative ions may be great for sleek and shiny strands maybe not so much for gravity defying lift.

#19 Hit the Beach

Most everyone finds that beachy waves naturally aid in creating the look of thicker hair. This happy accident occurs in the salt air and it’s the tousled piecey-ness of it all that is so sought after. If that sounds like fun watch the videos that will put you on the fast track to awesome looking beach waves even if high tide is thousands of miles away.

#20 Parting Thoughts

Only feeling a little adventurous? In that case try this trick to camouflage those sagging locks. Simply switch up your part.

Yeah, volume starved girls quickly learn that flipping their part to other side develops instant lift at the crown. Remember the deeper the part the more height you get. A light spritz of hairspray can hold that newly found body then throughout the day.

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About Tori

Tori is a recovering shoe addict and aspiring beach bum with a devotion to all things chocolate. Her goal is to make TerrificTresses your online destination for all things hair. Whether it’s ideas to keep things stylish and chic or answers to nagging hair care problems, you’ll find it here. You might look at as your irregular dose of hair care inspiration. Oh and you can find me on GooglePlus too.